Wonderberries

"The person who accepts the advice of Tzadikkim has the truth engraved inside him." (Rabbi Nachman, Likutey Moharan I, 7)
 
A difficult ordeal can often be a springboard to elevate ourselves in a new direction, an opportunity for increased spiritual growth. I was recently sent a test of my emuna when I fainted, smashing my face on the floor, yet from that tribulation sprouted forth a new decision. It was one of those deals I had made with myself which kept being pushed aside.  Finally, I was confronted with it in that moment of truth, and I knew its time had come.
 
I no longer wanted to rely on doctors or pills for my health, but only on HaShem’s open and loving arms. Each day we pray “Bring complete recovery for all our ailments, for You are G-d, King, the faithful and compassionate Healer.” (Artscroll translation, from shemona esrei). How can I request something and not completely believe what I am asking for? That would be a lie. I have no doubt that HaShem can cure and give life. I also believe that HaShem created a natural treatment for all ills, if we can only discover them and utilize them.
 
G-d put me in this world and brought me to this point in time through his kindness and mercy. He directed me to a Rabbi I trust, so I made the choice to depend on his advice and try to leave my own thoughts in the background. Until that point, I had been taking medication to reduce my high blood pressure but my goal was to use exercise and healthy eating to treat it instead. I tried this on my own in the past, yet each attempt landed me back on pills as my blood pressure readings constantly climbed back up. This time I was confident it would be different as I wasn’t doing it alone. I was bringing kedusha (holiness) into the equation. I contacted my Rav and asked for guidance. His recommendation was to walk half an hour a day, eat cranberries, drink a lot of water and monitor weekly. I also understood that this had to be accompanied by plenty of prayer in order to be successful. Hence, I began my new game plan.
 
By now you are probably thinking what others have actually said to me; a Rabbi isn’t a doctor and why do I accept his word as if it was G-d’s? No, he isn’t a doctor, but if a person knows anything about the knowledge required to become a Rabbi with Smicha (Rabbinical Ordination), they would understand the depth of his wisdom. On top of that, this particular Rabbi is well-educated in health matters and nature, among numerous other topics. (Any certified Rabbi should be equally qualified). A number one principle in Judaism is Pikuach Nefesh, saving of human life.  We are required to override all laws in order to fulfill this tenet, including the sacred laws of Shabbat. Why then would a Rabbi risk my life and take chances with my health if he wasn’t sure of the outcome? He wouldn’t…of that I was confident.
 
And no, he does not speak for G-d, chas v’shalom, but from my perspective, he is a personal link to HaShem in an unbroken chain, all the way down from the first Tzadikkim. To quote Rebbe Nachman zt’l "The person who accepts the advice of Tzadikkim has the truth engraved inside him." (Likutey Moharan I, 7) It is this truth which we should all seek.
 
After a week and a half of eating the cranberries, walking and drinking water, I became worried as my blood pressure was not being reduced significantly. It’s not that I don’t have emuna, but like everyone, my emuna needs constant strengthening. I do believe that HaShem can do ANYTHING if He wants to. My problem was simply; Do I deserve His mercy? Do I merit His miracles? Who am I to expect that He will answer all my pleas or at least this specific request? Why wasn’t it working? So I contacted my Rabbi who reassured me that I should continue on my routine, have patience and pray. While my blood pressure was higher than normal, it was not dangerously high.
 
That was all I needed to hear. I knew I was worrying about it too much and I tried not to be obsessed, but my ‘loyal’ yetzer hora was goading me on, nudging me to break. It’s not easy trying to go against the grain of what most people perceive as normal behavior. In the past I would have been in the doctor’s office for his next available appointment. But not this time. I knew if I caved in and went to the doctor, he would just put me on pills again and I was trying to be ‘drug free’! Not only that, but I would be showing a lack of confidence in my Rav and his recommendations. In essence, I would also be casting a doubt on HaShem’s ability to heal.
 
After 3 weeks on the new ‘cranberry program’, I took my blood pressure in the morning and it was much better!  B”H, this was another boost which helped me to let go of my concerns. Being that elevated blood pressure is also caused by stress, the reduction in my anxiety would do wonders for me. My pressure was still not completely normal, but at least now I knew I could calmly rely on my new course of action. Even though I had intellectually internalized that I would give my full trust over to my Rav and Spiritual Guide, it was still very difficult nullifying my own feelings. Yet I was opting to completely depend on his counsel without putting my own logic into play. It is challenging to say the least, reversing views that have been entrenched our psyche from day one. I would say it is more testing than compelling a right-handed person to write with the left hand.
 
Accepting that we can pass important decisions over to someone with more authority and a deeper perception of the ‘big picture’ is actually very liberating. It takes a big load off of one’s otherwise overburdened shoulders. For those of us who are chozer b’tshuva [penitent], newly observant, (and even those who are religious pros), we can look at ourselves like newborn babies who need to depend on a guardian to ensure that we ‘grow up’ on the proper path and to help us make correct life choices. Since our Heavenly Father is presently not tangible in this world, we can look to those who devote their lives to learning His Laws for the welfare of all, our esteemed Rebbeyim.
 
That does not cancel out our prerogative to attain facts in our own right, for our own understanding. Just for my personal awareness I looked up the health benefits of the cranberry and I was pleasantly surprised. To list all the details here would require a whole additional article but following are the basic properties; Cranberries are high in Vitamin C which helps protect the immune system, are anti-inflammatory, contain a high amount of antioxidants, and are anti-carcinogenic, preventing breast cancer as well. They are loaded with dietary fiber. They are known for the prevention and treatment of yeast infections in addition to stomach ulcers and oral bacteria. The antioxidants present in cranberries improve the function of the blood vessels, which reduces the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. They contain no cholesterol, no fat and are low in sodium. So basically, they are a pretty wonder-full fruit!  All thanks to HaShem who created them and allowed man to cultivate them for our use.
 
Despite all the amazing features contained within this tiny berry, one thing remains crystal clear. Without prayer, tshuva and abiding by G-d’s Laws, no amount of berries, no amount of walking, no drug and no Rabbi will be able to provide us with good health, if it is not His Will. It is incumbent upon each one of us to make a sincere effort and do the best we can in following HaShem’s plan. The rest is up to our True “King and compassionate Healer”.
 
“And He said: ‘If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the L-rd thy G-d, and wilt do that which is right in His eyes, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians; for I am the L-rd that heals thee’”(Exodus/Shemot 15:26)
 
While it is my immediate goal to regain complete health so I am able to live my life fully in HaShem’s service, my ultimate yearning is for Moshiach’s arrival, and with it, G-d Willing, an end to all illness and suffering. May it be soon, in our days, Amen.